The Colombo Magistrate’s Court today fixed August 25 to deliver the verdict of the magisterial inquest into the death of a housemaid named R. Rajakumari, who died while in the custody of the Welikada Police.
Rajakumari, 41, a resident of Badulla, was arrested on May 11 based on a complaint made by her employer, famed producer Sudharma Nethicumara, claiming that she had stolen gold jewellery belonging to her.
She later died while in the custody of the Welikada Police, of which her relatives raised suspicions, alleging that she had been subjected to assault.
Evidence was obtained from Ajith Wijesena, who worked as a private security officer at the house located on Cota Road, Borella, where the deceased woman was said to have last worked.
"I am working as a security officer at the concerned house. On the 11th of last May, two Welikada police officers came to the house where I was working. They came in civilian clothes. They came in a white car. First one officer came to the house. He came and asked if there was someone called "Kumari". I said yes. The police officer mentioned that we are looking for her in connection with a theft. Later I connected them to Madam. Then the two police officers took "Raja Kumari" away. There were no female police officers when she was taken away. It was taken around 12.10 in the afternoon," said the witness while testifying.
The officers of the Criminal Investigation Department asked whether Rajakumari had been sick at the time she was taken away.
The witness who answered said, "There was no illness. She was working well."
After that, on May 16, a group of police officers came and took a statement from the owner of his house, the witness further stated.
After that, the officials of the Criminal Investigation Department informed the court that they will end the handling of the evidence related to the investigation.
After considering all the facts, the magistrate also announced that the verdict will be announced on August 25.
Meanwhile, the Criminal Investigation Department had found a pipe that was allegedly used to attack the deceased woman at the Welikada Police Station and had presented it to the court, and the officials of the said department requested that it be forwarded to the government analysts and to call for a report.
The Additional Magistrate accepted the request and ordered that the relevant pipe be sent to the government analyst and a report be called.
Rajakumari, 41, a resident of Badulla, was arrested on May 11 based on a complaint made by her employer, famed producer Sudharma Nethicumara, claiming that she had stolen gold jewellery belonging to her.
She later died while in the custody of the Welikada Police, of which her relatives raised suspicions, alleging that she had been subjected to assault.
Evidence was obtained from Ajith Wijesena, who worked as a private security officer at the house located on Cota Road, Borella, where the deceased woman was said to have last worked.
"I am working as a security officer at the concerned house. On the 11th of last May, two Welikada police officers came to the house where I was working. They came in civilian clothes. They came in a white car. First one officer came to the house. He came and asked if there was someone called "Kumari". I said yes. The police officer mentioned that we are looking for her in connection with a theft. Later I connected them to Madam. Then the two police officers took "Raja Kumari" away. There were no female police officers when she was taken away. It was taken around 12.10 in the afternoon," said the witness while testifying.
The officers of the Criminal Investigation Department asked whether Rajakumari had been sick at the time she was taken away.
The witness who answered said, "There was no illness. She was working well."
After that, on May 16, a group of police officers came and took a statement from the owner of his house, the witness further stated.
After that, the officials of the Criminal Investigation Department informed the court that they will end the handling of the evidence related to the investigation.
After considering all the facts, the magistrate also announced that the verdict will be announced on August 25.
Meanwhile, the Criminal Investigation Department had found a pipe that was allegedly used to attack the deceased woman at the Welikada Police Station and had presented it to the court, and the officials of the said department requested that it be forwarded to the government analysts and to call for a report.
The Additional Magistrate accepted the request and ordered that the relevant pipe be sent to the government analyst and a report be called.
